The Nationals have signed outfielder Rick Ankiel to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, a club source confirmed this morning.

Ankiel, the former Cardinals phenom whose pitching career flamed out nearly a decade ago, has resurrected himself as an outfielder and in 2008 hit 25 homers with 71 RBI for St. Louis. He struggled this season, though, hitting just .232 with six homers and 34 RBI in 74 combined games with the Royals and Braves.

The 31-year-old, however, is a gifted defensive player with a strong arm and could challenge either center fielder Nyjer Morgan or left fielder Roger Bernadina for playing time next spring.

Ankiel's contract, which won't become official until he takes a physical, includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses.

A second-round pick in the 1997 draft, Ankiel sped through the Cardinals' farm system and made his big-league debut two years later at 19. The left-hander went 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 30 starts in 2000Read more »

I can only see him start against righty starters. His numbers against southpaws are horrible to say the least. He could also be used as defensive substitute late in the game I guess. Definitely not someone who can start for us everyday.

Mr. Plush better make sure he starts 2011 with his head screwed on straight, because this sounds like a potential substitution for him. Sacrifice some potential offense (relatively speaking) for some potential defense and its largely a wash, so Tony P. better see this as his very short leash going forward.

Finally, and I say finally as I think this spells the end of the JMaxwell error, I mean era.After trading Willingham, I was thinking there was still a roster spot waiting for Maxwell.Chalk up another Bora$ client on Rizzo's roster! I think Rizzo has definitely earned an invite to The Boras Corporation Xmas Party.

I think this is a good move.It solidifies the bench and gives you a solid left handed hitter in the 5 or 6 hole against starting RHP.Defensively, he's also solid, not great, but solid. Bernie's better overall, but RA has a cannon of an arm. He's also good insurance if one of the triumvirate of Morse/Bernie/Morgan doesn't work or goes down due to injury.It'a always good to have a deep bench.

HHover, seriously? You take Ladson's analysis on this one? I am thinking this gives Rizzo a little more trade bait now too.Don't forget Corey Brown is lurking. I don't see Corey Brown starting out the season on the 25 man but I could see him as a callup if Nyjer is Nyjer of 2010.All in all, good move as the Nats needed 1 more in the mix for depth and almost creating a certainty of not having Justin Maxwell as the first option off of the bench.

The move is definitely in line with Rizzo's thinking: get a plus defender to have available. AND, get a lefty hitter for a righty-heavy lineup.Except! I don't think Ankiel is really that good of a defender. Look at his uzr rankings: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1142&position=OF#fieldingMaybe in left field he's a plus defender, but his center field range has always been negative. Seems like his defensive abilities are more based on reputation than performance. Not that this isn't constantly the case in baseball (see Jeter, Derek and his inexplicable gold glove in 2010).I'm all for pushing our outfielder core in the spring, but if Ankiel pushes Morse to the minors then I don't get the move. I have been advocating finding a replacement for Morgan in center and perhaps Ankiel is that person.

I like this move for the reasons stated above: putting pressure on Morgan and getting a good defensive outfielder with a decent bat (when used properly). This goes along with the move to make the Nats more athletic and improve their defense. Good move.fpcsteve

… maybe the Nats want him to resurrect his pitching career. Oops, it looks like Julian already picked up on that one. … but history has showed the kind of switch Rick has made can be done. Hey, if it worked for George Herman Ruth, why not for Rick Ankiel?Go Nats!

Now that the Nats have added 2 more lefty bats to the roster in the last week, could they go to Derrek Lee at 1st base?CF NyjerSS Desmond3B ZIM1B D. LeeRF WerthLF BAM (Platoon of Bernadina, Ankiel, Morse)2B EspinosaC Pudge/Ramos

@Julian Asange — that was funny!Why do I think that this is a precursor to the Nats signing Derrek Lee now? Lee would be the everyday 1B, and the Nats would then platoon Morse (R) and Ankiel (L) in left. This would then pit Bernadina and Morgan in a cage match/fight to the death to take over the everyday CF/leadoff spot down in Viera …

Do the Nats have the reputation as being the last stop/last chance before you're shown the door? Do the players, after going to the Nats, think "OMG if I don't turn this around I'm toast"? Natstown = Island of Misfit Toys?

I don't see this as adding a left handed bat to the lineup. Yeah, he's left handed, but if he hits, it will either be in Nyjer's spot or Bernie's spot, and they're both lefties."a solid left handed hitter in the 5 or 6 hole"Get serious. Ankiel is not a middle of the order hitter. He struck out in 33+% of his AB's last year! He's a pinch hitter, late inning defensive replacement.We need a left handed power bat. If Ankiel is it, we're in trouble.This will put very little pressure on Nyjer, because the only way this offense works is with Nyjer leading off. We have no one else who could.

Still seems like a trade is still in the offing … the Grienke trade would have cleared some spots on the 40-man and 25-man (and potentially left some glaring holes as well) … still seems like Rizzo has multiple poles in the fire to carry so many on the 40-man. Have to wonder about Marerro a younger right handed first base fielder like Adam Dunn? He should be a part of a trade package to an AL team shouldn't he?

I think Ankiel replaces Willie Harris. Like Ankiel Harris is also a left handed hitter. If anyone has been "shown the door" it looks to me like its Willie Harris. He looks like "toast" at this point if the Nats pick Ankiel over Harris. I suspect Ankiel is the better fielder in the outfield than Harris at this point. A new guy for good ol' double switch Riggleman to replace Morse with after he hits two home runs. And someone who won't chafe at being a bench player.

"Do the Nats have the reputation as being the last stop/last chance before you're shown the door? Do the players, after going to the Nats, think "OMG if I don't turn this around I'm toast"?"Scott Olsen, Brian Bruney, Joel Peralta and Joe Beimel (among others) would probably disagree with that statement.

Still wondering if they won't make another run at their boy Justin Upton in AZ. Imagine an outfield with Harper, Werth, and Upton? Might make you forget about the pitching woes until they can develop from within? Then again perhaps not?

The only negative is if Ankiel ends up playing every day and pushes Morse to the bench. If Ankiel is a bench player, then this move is acceptable. If Riggles makes Ankiel a starter and talks about intangibles then there are a lot of problems on this team. I still see a 90-100 loss team even if Ankiel is on the bench. Anyone see different?

Hard to get very excited either way on this. Seems like a cost effective possibility for the bench, and if he gets more than 200 ABs, we are probably having a lot of OF problems. i also agree with the comments that the stats do not show him as above average defensively, or even average, for that matter. I think that he has been negative on UZR every year he played.Also hard to believe they keep both Ankiel and Stairs. But it was cheap, he has major league experience and its another spring training option. I am fine with it.

I like it. No matter what Ladson says, I think Ankiel is here to push Nyjer Morgan. Last year he chose the Royals over the Nats because the Royals would let him play center. If he replaces Willie Harris' roster spot, how can anyone complain?

The 40-man roster has 42 names on it after the signings of Wang and Ankiel and the Willingham trade. Who gets the boot?I think Ankiel takes Maxwell's spot. He's had enough chances. I think Atahualpa Severino and Aaron Thompson also have to be near the top of the list for first cuts.

Mark, correct me if I'm wrong, but by adding Brown and Rodriguez for Willingham, we're already at 41 men on the 40 man roster. Ankiel puts us 2 players over the limit.Ankiel is a terribly unexciting signing. He's progressively gotten worse each year with his bat. His power has disappeared, and he's bad defensively. So why again are we paying this guy $1.5mil? Seems like a waste to me.I'd rather keep useless pitching fodder like Atilano, Martis or Thompson on the roster than Ankiel.

Agree with most posters that this is an ok move. Not great but certainly a better move then Kevin Mench. I join with others in thinking that Morgan will not be able to coast in spring training. I don't like the idea of Ankiel being an every day player but his 2008 season was a good one. I just want Nyjer to get on base, run the bases intelligently and make plays in CF. We know he can't throw but if he does those 3 things we will be better than last year.I am in the minority here but I would not mind seeing Willie Harris back. He can play both infield and outfield and he is not a trouble maker. I don't want to see him back hitting under .200 but I think he could help us. Go Nats!

I think Ankiel takes Maxwell's spot. He's had enough chances. I think Atahualpa Severino and Aaron Thompson also have to be near the top of the list for first cuts.Or a trade is about to be executed. Perhaps the Grienke deal wasn't the only one they've been pursuing. There are other starting pitchers that might be available via trade other than Garza. Anibel Sanchez for one. Jonny Cueto and Homer Bailey. Carlos Zambrano because of his huge contract might be had for cheap from the Cubbies. But he weighs 260 and does not seem to be in great shape … have to think Rizzo would pass on that.

When Ankiel was traded on July 31 last year to the Braves it was also noted that he had a right leg injury that hampered his year. These were some of the quotes:"Ankiel's a tremendous outfielder, a great athlete," third baseman Chipper Jones said. "Hopefully he helps solidify things out there in center.""I know he hasn't played much, but since he's been back, he's played well," manager Bobby Cox said. "He's great defensively. He's really, really good."Coming from Bobby Cox 5 months ago, that says a lot. This is a low risk signing so not a big deal. Still like it better than the options of Willie Harris and Justin Maxwell.

Steve M. said… "Don't forget Corey Brown is lurking. I don't see Corey Brown starting out the season on the 25 man but I could see him as a callup if Nyjer is Nyjer of 2010."Did the Nats complete a trade for Corey Brown? Because if they haven't (or don't), he'll be on the 25 man roster or head back to his original team.

MLBTR says that Pavano is down to us and Twins. I am not real excited about him, and hope they don't give him 3 years. Not sure why he is better than Blanton; 2/$17m left for Blanton, and they look like the same pitcher to me. Plus Blanton is younger. All depends on trade cost; if it is equal to the 3d rounder they lose for Pavano, seems like a no brainer.Also rumored that Lee is looking for $10m; that seems extraordinarily high, but Pena got it so he probably will too. Would really like to see the Nats use Storen as primary bait for a 1B prospect like Alonso from Reds. I don't know if that is enough to get it done, but he would fit their profile better (LH, good D, 6 years of control).

I think Maxwell will be removed from the 40 man and my guess is Manny Acta is frothing at the mouth to get him to Cleveland for a reunion.Acta is trying to channel his best Bowden in getting axed players from his old team which is why a Carmona trade wouldn't surprise me.

Wally said… Also rumored that Lee is looking for $10m; that seems extraordinarily high, but Pena got it so he probably will too. Would really like to see the Nats use Storen as primary bait for a 1B prospect like Alonso from Reds. I don't know if that is enough to get it done, but he would fit their profile better (LH, good D, 6 years of control). I would hate to use Storen for trade bait on Alonso but that kid could be the 1st baseman of the future here.

This is all a left-right play. Having lost Dunn and decided LaRoche is over-priced (w/ which I am starting to agree), W. Harris being gone (blessedly) and being stuck w/ Derrek Lee (if that) in the 1B sweepstakes, they've stockpiled Ankiel and Stairs for some left-handed pop off the bench. That's it. Although they now own four players (Werth, Bernandina, Ankiel and Brown) I'd rather see in CF than Nigel Knucklehead. Maybe people should stop focusing on who the Nats are acquiring and more on who they're going to get rid of. How many knuckleheads on the Phillies? Learn the concept of addition by subtraction. Case(s) in point, Dukes and Milledge. Apart from Morgan, there's no one on the likely 25-man roster, right now, that I feel the need to get rid of. But there are a couple of so-called starting pitchers that are getting close to being a waste of meal money.

God, please save us from Prince Fielder. Think about his Pops; think about George Scott; think about Mo Vaughan; think about John Mayberry; think about . . . Albert Haynesworth. If the guy wants mega-millions, make him a nose tackle.

Willie Harris – .223 .336 .371 10HR 25 RBI's 0 WAR Rick Ankiel – .232 .321 .389 6 HR's 31 RBIs 0.7 WAR I don't see that this is a huge upgrade. Nyjer Morgan's numbers last year were poor but somewhat better than both these guys.

Nope. Matheus was signed to a major league contract.I saw him in a couple of outings in Fall Instructional League. He and A.J. Morris were head and shoulders above everybody including Solis, Cole, and Ray. The Nats are stockpiling some serious bullpen help, probably because of the lack of starters.

No bias in knucklehead definition . . . wait until the world has had a full exposure to Colby Rasmus. How is it biased to ask that a guy (A) hit the cut-off man; (2) keep an eye on the pitcher when leading off first; (3) cut down on his swing w/ two strikes; (4) stay out of fights?I will give you a perfect example of a WASP knucklehead: Mark Reynolds (previously incarnated as Dave Kingman). I think it was Ray Knight who pointed out if Reynolds cut down on his swing on just 100 of his 200 Ks, how many more balls would be put in play, how many more hits he would have, and how many more runs he would have batted in. He'll hit 50 HRs in Baltimore (left field was measured for Cal Ripken), strike out 220 times, bat .216 (a 20-point improvement), and the Os will finish last.

It doesn't make much sense giving a guy, who only pitched 11 rehab innings in Rookie ball last season, coming off major elbow surgery that caused him to miss an entire season, and has never pitched an inning in the major leagues, a major league contract.What was the reasoning there? Why not spend a few hundred thousand more dollars to resign Peralta, who proved he could pitch well in the big show?

As far as the 40-man roster thing goes, they do need to remove three players now (counting the Mattheus re-signing). It's possible those players have already been removed but are currently going through waivers (which isn't made public). If they clear waivers, they'd then be outrighted to Syracuse. I imagine we'll hear something in the next day or two.Also, the Ankiel move isn't official yet because he still has to take a physical. So they don't need to clear a roster spot for him until that happens.

Overall I think this is good. A definite step up over Willie Harris. My two contributions to the discussion:1. I know it's an outfield position this time, but this feel a lot like the Adam Kennedy signing last year. We ended up with an excess of players, all of whom had a reason to expect to be starters. I wonder whether Ankiel expects to compete for a starting role, to be used in platoon, or to hang out with Stairs on the bench. 2. I've got serious suspicions of an upcoming trade. This would be a great pickup for the bench, but I'm thinking it's more likely that Rizzo is setting up to package Morse, Bernadina or Morgan with a few of the others mentioned in the Greinke talks for something surprising. Hope springs eternal…